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. 2017 Feb 6;12(2):e0170993.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170993. eCollection 2017.

Long term (1997-2014) spatial and temporal variations in nitrogen in Dongting Lake, China

Zebin Tian  1   2 , Binghui Zheng  1   2 , Lijing Wang  2 , Liqiang Li  3 , Xing Wang  2 , Hong Li  2 , Stefan Norra  4
Affiliations

Long term (1997-2014) spatial and temporal variations in nitrogen in Dongting Lake, China

Zebin Tian et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

In order to protect the water quality of Dongting Lake, it is significant to find out its nitrogen pollution characteristics. Using long-term monthly to seasonally data (1997-2014), we investigated the spatial and temporal variations in nitrogen in Dongting Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in China. The average concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) in the eastern, southern, and western parts of the lake were 1.77, 1.56, and 1.35 mg/L, respectively, in 2014. TN pollution was generally worse in the southern area than in the western area. Concentrations showed temporal variation, and were significantly higher during the dry season than during the wet season. Based on the concentration and growth rate of TN, three different stages were identified in the long term lake data, from 1997 to 2002, from 2003 to 2008, and from 2009 to 2014, during which the concentrations and the growth rate ranged from 1.09-1.51 mg/L and 22.09%-40.03%, 1.05-1.57 mg/L and -9.05%-7.74%, and 1.68-2.02 mg/L and 57.99%-60.41%, respectively. The main controls on the lake water TN concentrations were the quality and quantity of the lake inflows, spatial and temporal variations in hydrodynamic conditions within the lake (flow velocity, flow direction), and point and nonpoint inputs from human activities. Diffuse nutrient losses from agricultural land are a significant contributor. As a priority, the local government should aim to control the pollutant inputs from upstream and non-point nutrient losses from land.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Map of Dongting Lake and the water sampling sites.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Spatial distribution of TN concentrations in Dongting Lake in 2014 (annual average).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Seasonal variations in TN concentrations in different areas of Dongting Lake.
Fig 4
Fig 4. The monthly average concentrations of TN in Dongting Lake from 1997 to 2014
Fig 5
Fig 5. The annual average concentrations of TN in waters upstream of Dongting Lake from 1997 to 2014.
Fig 6
Fig 6
Spatial distribution of (a) ammonium and (b) nitrate in 2014.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Velocity and direction of flow in Dongting Lake.
Fig 8
Fig 8. Historical changes in NANI and relationship between fertilizer N inputs and TN concentrations in upstreams.
Fig 9
Fig 9. Historical changes in selected social, industrial, and agricultural parameters in Dongting Lake.
Fig 10
Fig 10. Historical changes in phytoplankton biomasses and TN concentrations in Dongting Lake.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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